How to Protect Your Thanet Rental from This Common Cause of Property Damage

What’s the most common reason for landlords finding themselves in hot water and needing to make an insurance claim? The answer, according to one insurance company* at least, is ‘escape of water’. This term covers everything from burst pipes and defective washing machines to leaky loos and dripping taps.

In a recent report, the firm revealed that 35.5% of all claims paid to landlords were related to water damage. And while most claims totalled a few thousand pounds**, some were for much, much more. Spare a thought for the landlord who had to claim £145,000 after a slow leak in the bathroom rotted the floor of the entire building.

So, what can landlords do to reduce the risk of leaks, burst pipes and other water-related damage?

• Encourage tenants to report problems as soon as they notice them so you can rectify them promptly.
• When carrying out inspections, don’t forget to check for leaks, including subtle signs such as marks appearing on the ceiling. Be particularly vigilant if you have an ageing property.
• Replace washers on dripping taps.
• Remember that when pipes freeze, they’re more prone to bursting. Cover pipes in outdoor areas and colder parts of your rental with lagging to prevent this.
• At the start of a tenancy, show your tenants where the stopcock and fuse box are located. If there’s a leak, they should turn the mains water off at the stopcock. Once they’ve done this, they should switch off the electricity supply.
• If you have an old water storage tank, insulate it with a ‘hot water jacket’.
• Keep gutters and drains clear of leaves and debris.
• Schedule your annual boiler service in your calendar so you don’t fall behind.
• If a tenant is going away on holiday, ask them to turn off the stopcock. In winter, suggest they programme the heating to come on each day to prevent the pipes from freezing.
• Ensure your landlord insurance is up to date.

If you’d like to learn more about how we can help manage and protect your property, contact us at Cooke & Co Estate and Letting Agents today.

* Source: Total Landlord insurance.
** The average burst pipes claim through Total Landlord insurance was £2,596 between 2019 and 2023.

About Cooke & Co

Cooke & Co, a liked and respected estate agency trading since 1992, is conveniently situated in the picturesque seaside district of Thanet. We proudly operate from our local offices in the region's primary towns, namely Margate, Broadstairs, and Ramsgate. Additionally, our extensive reach encompasses the charming areas of Westbrook, Westgate, Birchington, Monkton, Manston, and Minster. Our presence in these diverse locales enables us to offer an enriched understanding and comprehensive service to the property market in these prime coastal towns and villages.

Contact our offices at the following numbers:

• Margate Office/Area: (01843) 231833
• Ramsgate Office/Area: (01843) 851322
• Broadstairs Office/Area: (01843) 600911

Visit our main website at www.cookeandco.com or contact us via email at enquiry@cookeandco.com. If you would like a free instant valuation of your home, then visit our free instant valuation site.